Conformation

Conformation shows, also referred to as breed shows, are shows in which a judge familiar with a specific dog breed evaluates individual purebred dogs for how well the dogs conform to the established breed type for their breed, as described in a breed’s individual breed standard. Dogs compete for points toward their championship title.

A conformation dog show is not a comparison of one dog to another but should be a comparison of each dog to a judge’s mental image of the ideal breed type as outlined in the individual breed’s breed standard. Dog show judges attempt to identify dogs who epitomize the published standards for each breed.